Directed by Chris Overton The Silent Child the film won the award in the Live Action Short Film category at the 90th Academy Awards. The story focuses on the family of a young deaf child and how her life is changed as social worker Joanne comes into her world and encourages the use of sign language. It also shows the negative repercussions of having expectations and not caring about a deaf child’s needs.
Libby (Maisie Sly) is a young deaf child of 4 years old who lives in England with her middle-class parents and two older siblings. You can clearly notice a struggle throughout the movie, which many deaf children experience worldwide. Libby is unable to communicate with any of her family members since she is lost in her own little world.
Her family doesn’t know sign language and they expect her to be able to lip-read everything. They, therefore, believe that everything is fine and that they are a happy family. However, when her mother Sue (Rachel Fielding) tries to talk to Libby, she seems aloof and hardly reacts. She then seeks the help of specialist teacher/social worker Joanne (Rachel Shenton).
“We don’t have high expectations,” was the first response Libby’s father said when he saw Joanne.
Joanne, however, gradually develops a bond with Libby and teaches her to use sign language. Libby transforms into a happy young girl. She is able to communicate with someone in her silent world unlike ever before, perhaps for the first time ever.
However, Sue, Libby’s mother, has other plans. Sue’s initial plan was to get Libby’s talk since she can lipread well. Therefore, it was not well received that she was signing instead of speaking. The rest is worth watching.
While watching the film, one can focus on the importance of the idea rather than trying to predict a plot twist the entire time. The colour schemes, cinematography, and shots used in the film make it visually pleasing to watch.
The Silent Child is a wonderful film because it has helped millions of people understand the need for sign language in schools and the consequences of not having it there. The use of several complex shots, editing techniques, and sound effects—which would be challenging to produce on a small budget nonetheless a plus for the movie because they all worked well.